Arch support



P 1936- K. K. KINGSBURY 2,053,910

I ARCH SUPPORT Filed Jan. 5, 1935 /d f 5% a I Z6 Z0 Z5 /4 24 4 INVENTOR, fe /7217? fi fikyrlzzl/y.

\ ATTO NEYS,

Patented Sept. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT j ;rriacc 2,053,910 I Q l i I ARCH SUPPORT Kenneth K. Kingsbury, Kansas City, Mo.

Application January 5, 1935, Serial No. 519

3 Claims.

This invention relates to arch supporting appliances of the character adapted for placement in the shoe of the wearer, and the primary object of the invention is to provide structure on such an arch support that will preclude objectionable displacement of the appliance during the time the same is worn.

Another object of the invention is to provide an arch support adapted for positioning in a shoe, which has means at one end for anchoring the arched plate thereof in a way that will permit longitudinal flexing, that will lengthen and shorten the said plate, but at the same time, will securely fix one end of the plate against movement while the other end frictionally engages the shoe sole as flexing takes place.

A further aim of the instant invention is to provide a specially formed friction tongue for arch supports of the metallic plate type which is created to provide a thickened portion directly underlying the edge of the metallic plate so that as movement takes place, the said edge will not readily wear through the friction tongue as has heretofore been the case.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of an arch support having as a part thereof, an unique anchoring spur, having formed therein a series of holes that are used in securing in place one or more shims that are employed to hold one end of the arch support at a desired predetermined level within the shoe.

Many minor objects of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following specification, having reference to the exemplification of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, vertical, longitudinal section through an arch support made to embody the invention and showing the same in place in a shoe.

Fig. 2 is a rear end elevation of the arch support entirely removed from operative position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section through the arch support, taken on line III-III of Fig. 1, but with the support removed from the shoe.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the front end of the arch support, showing the manner of employing the special flexible tongue.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, detailed, sectional view showing a shim in place beneath the heel portion of the arch support, and,

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the arch support with a shim in place.

I-Ieretofore arch supports of the formed metallic plate type have had an inherent shortcoming which the wearer found objectionable, both from the standpoint of comfort and the failure of the support to function properly when displaced. This invention overcomes the objections experienced as a result of displacement of an arch support and, while one specific embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is understood that other means may be built into arch supports for the purpose of fulfilling the concepts thereof.

This arch support comprises a formed plate ID that fits into shoe 52 with one end thereof above the shoe heel M, while the other end is positioned near the ball of the foot of the wearer above sole l6. Plate It? is longitudinally arched and the forward edge !8 is protected by a flexible friction tongue 20, that is riveted or otherwise secured as at 22 beneath the forward portion of plate II]. A thickened portion 2a underlying edge I8 is formed on this friction tongue 20 and provides a reenforcement along the line of greatest wear.

The rear end of plate is overlying heel l4 should be anchored and to attain this end, the spur 26 is rigidly brazed, welded, or otherwise integrally formed at the rearmost edge of plate It). This spur enters a socket 28 formed in sole l6 and heel l4 and when plate it is flexed longitudinally, the rear edge is held against movement, while the forward edge rides over sole IS with tongue 20 serving to protect the shoe against wear.

It is oftentimes desirable to slightly raise the heel-engaging end of plate ll! adjacent spur 26, and to accomplish this expedient, one or more shims 30 are provided that lie between plate l0 and sole it. Each shim 3!! has an ear 32 formed thereon that passes through one of the series of holes 34 formed in spur 26. This insures that shim 30 will be in position at all times and, if it becomes desirable to lower this end of plate ID, the shims may be easily and quickly removed.

It is understood that such modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims might be made without departing therefrom.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An arch support of the character described comprising a formed plate; a member depending from the lower face of said plate adjacent one end thereof and having a series of holes formed through said member, and a shim having an ear integral therewith extending through one of said holes to secure the said shim in position.

2. An arch support of the character described comprising a formed plate; a member depending from the lower face of said plate adjacent one end thereof and having a series of holes formed through said member, and a shim having an ear integral therewith extending through one of said holes to secure the said shim in position, said shim adapted to elevate the end of said formed plate above the inner face of the sole of a shoe as said member serves as an anchor to preclude accidental displacement of the said plate.

3. An arch support of the character described comprising a longitudinally arched plate; an anchoring spur at one end of said plate adapted to engage the sole of the shoe to preclude accidental displacement; and a shim underlying the said plate adjacent said spur, said shim and spur having interengaging means to preclude displacement of the said shim. 

